Apparatus for producing gas from hydrocarbon oil



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. MoKAY. APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING GAS FROM HYDROGARBON OIL.

No. 437,315. Patented Sept. 30, 1890.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. MeKAY.

APPARATUS FORPRODUOINGIGAS PROM HYDROGARBON OIL. No. 437,315. PatentedSept. 30. 1890.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MOKAY, OF TITUSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING GAS FROM HYDROCARBON OIL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 437,315, datedSeptember 30, 1890.

Application filed April 30, 1890. Serial No. 350,111. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN MOKAY, a citizen of. the United States,residing at Titusville, in the county of Crawford and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inApparatus for Producing Gas from Hydrocarbon Oil; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

The object of this invention is, in part, the utilization of the wasteheat of furnaces and similar calorific agencies in vaporizinghydrocarbon oil for the production of gas; also, in part, the supplyingof the gas thus set free to apparatus for producing water-gas and usingthe by-products of the latter as fuel in keeping up the heat for thusvaporizing the oil.

To effect these ends my invention consists in the constructionandcombination of devices hereinafter particularly set forth andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a vertical section,partly in elevation, of the devices embodying my invention, except thewater-gas generators. Fig. 2 represents a plan view of the furnace-stackand carburetors. Fig. 3 represents a view similar to Fig. 1, butsomewhat modified, and with the apparatus for generating water-gas.

A designates a furnace-stack or other stack containing an outlet-fluethrough which pass the products of combustion. Across the line or hollowinterior of this stack retorts B are arranged alternately at rightangles to each other. An oil-pipe 0 extends in through the wall of saidstack and supplies the uppermost of said retorts. The ends of the latterextend through the wall of the stack and allow connecting-pipes D to beconveniently attached. Every retort, except the lowest, is connected byone of these pipes to the retort next below. In every instance theconnecting-pipe D is wholly outside of said stack. The lowest retortdischarges gas through a pipe I) at one end, and liquid with otherresidual material through a pipe I) at the other end. The oil indescending from the uppermost retort to the lowest is exposed, ofcourse, to successive increments of temperature, and by the arrangementand connections of said retorts is compelled to travel in a circuitouscourse, repeatedly crossing the blastof the products of combustion, eachtime nearer to the source of heat. The gas which finally issues throughthe pipe Z) contains nearly all the volatile elements of the oil. Thereis no loss on the way by the oil coming suddenly in contact with anincandescent surface and being charred to an unserviceable form ofcarbon. The heat, though quite sufficient, increases so gradually thatthe oil is not injured thereby, and in each transition from one retortto another through a pipe D outside of the stack the oil is necessarilysomewhat cooled by way of neutralizing any excess of heating action.

It has been found in practice essential to vaporize the oil-by gradualincrease of heat in order to secure the greatest yield. It has furtherbeen found impracticable to have all the vaporizing surfaces andconnections within the stack, as the smaller connections are liable toclog up,thus lessening the yield and causing considerable delay.

By arranging each retort at right angles to the one below it theproducts of combustion ascending around them are compelled to changetheir direction frequently and are delayed much longer in their ascentthan would be possible if the retorts were all parallel or arranged intwo series with parallel members. In consequence the heating action willbe considerably increased. The gas thus produced may be used by itselfor employed for enriching coal-gas, or, as illustrated in Fig. 3, forcarbureting water-gas. In the latter case the pipe I) aforesaid emptiesinto a water main or receptacle E, having closed ends. Into thisreceptacle the water-gas generators R discharge through bent pipes S,the watergas or separated hydrogen and oxygen passing out finallythrough pipe T, intimately mingled with the hydrocarbon gas from pipe 6.The gas which passes out through this pipe conveys a considerable amountof oily residuum, which floats on the surface of the water in said mainor receptacle, and is finally low the base of the stack A. In case itshould be necessary to shut down the generators R, (or equivalentheat-producing devices which may be substituted for them,) I am enabledto continue the vaporization of the oil by merely increasing the heat ofsaid furnace 0. Generally it is best to use a cheap grade of fuel forsuch purposes.

The retorts are provided with valves and detachable heads and thegenerators with hot air and water pipes and safety-valves, beside otherappliances; but these have no direct connection with myinvention, and Ihave not considered it necessary to illustrate them.

I do not claim any particular process of making water-gas, nor do Iclaim the utilization as fuel of the waste products escaping fromwater-gas production; but,

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with a furnace stack or flue, a series of retortsarranged transversely across the same, one above the other andalternately at right angles, a series of connect ing-pipes between them,an oil-pipe supplying the uppermost retort, and an outlet-pipe for gasfrom the lowest retort of the series, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination with a furnace stack or flue, a series of retortsarranged transversely across the same, one above the other andalternately at right angles, a series of connecting-pipes extending fromone retort to another throughout the series and located outside of saidstack, an oil-pipe supplying the uppermost retort, and a gas-outlet pipefrom the lowest retort of the series, substantially as set forth.

8. In combination with a furnace stack or flue, a series of retortsarranged transversely across the same, one above the other andalternately at right angles, a series of connecting-pipes between them,an oil-pipe supplying the uppermost retort, an outlet-pipe for gas fromthe lowest retort of the series, the water main or receptacle E, intowhich said outlet discharges, and a Water-gas generator or generatorsdischarging alsointo said main and provided with flues H, which conductthe inflammable waste products of the water-gas process to said stackunder said transverselyarranged retorts, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN MCKAY.

Witnesses:

F. W. PERKINS, EDWIN FULLER.

